But how could we let the Book Roast slide into oblivion without saying thank you to the Queen of the Roast, our friend, Chris Eldin?

Yes, today, folks, we are not roasting a book, but a person, and, to be honest, all we want to do is say thank you. Check out the post below for a bit of Book Roast history, plus some of its high spots and bloopers - feel free to add more in the comments (more bloopers? surely not!). But if you want to say thank you - this post is the place to do it.

I'll kick it off with a big communal thank you from all of us. Roast Masters, Roastees, all our visitors and other friends. Some of us know how much time and work you've put into this - all of us know how much fun it has been. So thank you! From all of us.

*Roast will run through Thursday evening and all day Friday, so even though our princess has retired for the night, feel free to leave a message for her to find in the morning.*

97
comments:

Chris, thank you so much for the work you put into the Book Roast - for coming up with the idea in the first place, for developing it into something that would actually work and for all you did behind the scenes, organising writers, agents and we unworthy colleagues to make sure that it all happened the way it should. It's been a blast!

And now I want to go and kick The Dishwasher's butt, sorry, praise his fine work, just one last time...

I'm truly overwhelmed. I don't know what to say, except that you guys, your friendship, has meant the world to me. I don't think I've ever been this close to a group of people. Thank you so, so much for doing this. I'm deeply touched by all of this, overwhelmed.Hugs. Big, big hugs that convey a deep-down happy. Thank you.

While I wasn't able to participate over the past few months, I've always loved the concept of the Book Roast and enjoyed immensely when I did get to join in the fun. AND I'm pretty sure I won at least two new (and wonderful) books through the brilliant Book Roast.

I will miss it terribly.

Thank you, Chris, for this amazing brainchild. And thank you to all the Roast Masters and authors and agents and editors who've participated.

Say it ain't so sugar dumplin'. Why I've just barely gotten to know y'all. And Antonio! Where will I be able to meet him now?

Antonio....*sigh*

Well there's just nothin' else to do in situations like this than to go right out and bake up some of my delicious peach cobbler. I'm sending you some dear. And aren't you just as cute as a button in spring.

Charles, thank you so much for everything you've done to support us! We thought of you as a mini-master. :-)

Pat, I will always remember when you said yes to coming on my blog. We barely knew each other, but you were so gracious and forthcoming. A genuine person. Thank you for everything!

Lucienne, I still wonder what you'd do with a children's book. If you ever want to step into that world, please let me know so I can warn the children. ahahahaha! Just kidding! Thank you also for supporting our blog and letting us roast you!!

Jason, You did so much work, behind the scenes and unsung so to speak. Thank you for saying yes when I first asked. It's what enabled us to get a group together. And I can't wait for the next Clarity contest. You are a homegrown celebrity, and a beloved one at that. Thank you.

Precie, It's been a long time since I've seen you around! Thank you for everything in the past, and I hope we can reconnect and see each other more through the writing blogs.

Doreen, I miss coming over to your blog terribly. That will be rectified immediately. Thank you for being so down-to-earth and accessible! And HILARIOUS!!!! Please don't write children's books! Please!

Miss Susannah, Now that you're out of seclusion, I expect to see you more. Period.

Danette, thank you. You have a remarkable voice for children's books, and I hope to learn a lot from your journey. You're a truly nice person who deserves every success. I'm very glad we're running around in the same circles.

Sandra, I can't even remember where I met you anymore---on Miss Snark or EE? Or both? It just shows how long we've known each other. I'm very glad to be in the circle of your blogging friends. Thank you for everything... And book 3? Did I read that correctly? Congratulations!!!

Paca, I love you too, man.:-) I want to say something like seeing you, a familiar face in the blogosphere, but now I'm tired and I really do think the llama version of you is just darling. ANd I'm sorry I always pick on you. I just can't help myself. It's that paca smirk that brings it out.

Now, go back and write that other thing you wrote to me. And make it rhyme.

Thanks for everything, Chris. Even for including me in this gang, um, bunch of weir, um, wonderful authors. It was so amazing to meet you in person. We will do that again sometime - in your neck of the woods.

chris, you are awesome! i enjoyed myself thoroughly whenever i poked my nose into the roast, and especially loved being marinaded myself! i hope we get to see each other soon, and i'm glad you are reading neil g as well! =D cheers to chris and all the roasters for their hard work and dedication!!

Chris - thank you for hosting the Book Roast - it was fun, and I discovered some terrific new authors and books. I loved dropping by to read the blurbs, excerpts and comments. Ashley, from my book Time for Alexander, thanks you - and she says she wishes she could hop into another time machine and have it all start again...

Sarah, I can't tell you how much fun I had meeting you in person, and what a joy it is to be your friend. I hope you and Deb make it over to the DC/Balt area one day. I'll you two out on the town.

Stacey, it was fun having you on the roast!! I hope you have every success with your books, and thank you so much for dropping in today.

Paca, you're still smirking...;-)

Chelle, thank you!! It was fun getting to know you over at the roast!

Cindy, Thank you for this, but most importantly for introducing me to Neil G!! Of course that would've been nicer in person, but one day when you're famous, don't forget this promise I made you make.:-)

Stephen, you were my favorite author. But don't talk to me about bold strokes when you send in baby pictures. Thanks for the linky present though. It's a start.

Jennifer, thank you for dropping in! As you know, I LOVE the premise of your book! :-) I hope you write more.

Gary, Thank you! It has been a pleasure meeting you and getting to know you via the blogosphere and twitter. I see very good things ahead of you...

Sylvia! Who turned you down? I'm here now. Waiting...:-) Thank you!!

FairyHedgeHog, Thank you! One day I'm going to ask how you got your name. But in the meantime, I'm looking forward to hanging out on your side of the blogs. You guys have way too much fun over there.

JaneyV, see above comment! Robin has a great circle of friends...I'm going to enjoy hanging out on that side a bit more! Yes, we'll think of how to do Blog TV. Would be a hoot!!!

Izza making my eyes a watering to know there izza no more Booka Roast. But Crees, you are a especial person and izza very amazing how you bringa people together. Iffa you are inna NY give a me a call anna we canna be doing lunch. Anna then I do the dance for you that you are alwaysa talking about.

I did post a long message earlier on, but just realised I commented on the wrong post!

I just wanted to add my grateful thanks to Chris - and to everyone else who's made the Book roast such a memorable experience.

I've had the honor and priviledge to be roasted not once, but three times. On each occasion I had a blast and have been overshelmed by the number of comments, and the wit and humour of the whole thing.

I've loved reading other people's excerpts as well, and making the occasional comment and the atmosphere here has been like a big friendly barbeque, one that had an endless supply of food and drink and where you never knew who might pop in next.

Hey, they told me the party was Friday and I find out it started yesterday. Just like in real life. Anyway, Chris, Book Roast was an amazing idea and there are very few people who could've willed it into being like you did. I'm honored to have been even a small part of it.

Thank you, Hywela! I saw your other message and was going to acknowledge over there, but then I saw it here. Thank you so much for your support and enthusiasm! You have such a terrific attitude that will take you far!

Antonio! BT! AHAHAHAH about being told it was Friday and then starting early. Robin called to wake me up last night because I had no idea you guys were doing this! I'm having a hard time looking at the pics of Antonio and the troll simultaneously. Something is happening inside my brain, meshing the two images. It's not pretty. But seriously, you are such a sweetheart, and I meant that very sincerely. Thank you for everything, but most especially your friendship. I will think of another project to pull you into. I already told Shona...;-)

OMG! A Snark siting! Yes, I see what happened with your retirement. Now you have three blogs, twitter, and facebook. That is so not going to happen to me. I've already figured out how to get others to do all the hard work and take the credit, so I figure I can squeeze at least 8 other projects out of these fine people.

I have an idea for a picture book, it's been on my mind for two years. It's called "Killer Yap" and it's about a dog gone bad. I will of course credit you when it's published.

Seriously though, I heart you very much, and appreciate everything you do for us fledgling writers. *sniff, sniff*Thank you!!

Chris, I have SO loved being a part of BookRoast. It was a brilliant concept, brilliant in execution and a rocketshiptrip of fun to contribute to! I bless the bloggergods for the day that I stumbled across your site and the moment when you said... hey... maybe that random girl who works in publishing might be worthy of a regular guest blog on my site... In all seriousness, it has been a pleasure and a privilege for me. Thank you thank you thank you!!!

Chris,The Book Roast concept and execution (that sounds ominous) was brilliant. You really should be proud of what you and your partners accomplished. I was a newcomer these last few months, but I was instantly captivated and came back again and again to read the lively discussions and sometimes toss in my two cents. Thanks for the fun and the memories. Pat/Tricia

Yay for Chris! I haven't participated in this little project as much as I would have liked to, but I thank you for the opportunity to be involved. You're an inspiration to all of us struggling writers. :)

Hi Chris. Thank you for creating such a novel idea. I'm so sorry to learn this is it. I have enjoyed being roasted and visiting fellow authors at their roasts. Best of luck to you and all the roast masters. We'll miss you guys!Sharon

Thanks Erica! You were one of our very first authors, and there is a special name for that. I'll let Stephen use it in his next Scrabble game with you.;-)

Thanks Melanie, and very much Ditto!!

Dennis, Dennis, Dennis... :-)You bring positive energy wherever you go. Thank you for all you do for the writing community!

Tena! You got a makeover! Girlfriend, you're looking good! WO, Thank you!! It's been an honor getting to know you. We'll definitely see each other around!

Ms. Sally, :-)Rocketshiptrip. I want that word and I want it now. It's going in my current WIP.Thank *you* for taking a chance!! We were all whispering to each, behind your back, "she really said yes! no, I promise I won't scare her off. you promise too..." It was a ROCKETSHIPTRIP that you said yes!!!

PJD, You gave a lot of enthusiasm and support at the beginning, and that will always be remembered. Thank you!!

Hi Anne, As a fellow children's book writer, it was a lot of fun to have you over! Thank you for your kind words and support!

Hi Sharon, This is really nice, reconnecting with authors from the past. Thanks so much for being a part of our blog! I really enjoyed meeting you here and getting to know about your book!

Hi Merry, So sorry about the email mixup! I know in the past I've tried to find an email for you and have had difficulty because it wasn't in your profile. But I'm so happy that you came over and said one last farewell... Your interview with Erica was a terrific idea!!! Hope to see more over at your blog!

EE! Our resident artist. Few people know you're the genius behind Miss Savannah's avatar. Thank you again for doing that!!!!---even though you strive to be evil, there are cracks. Big ones, actually.Thanks for popping in for our farewell party. Well, I guess it's more like a *me* party. heheNow that this thing is winding up, I can spend more time over at your blog. Who's over there these days?:-)

LW, If we lasted any longer, we would've recruited you to be Roast Master!!Many, many thanks for dropping in and making the authors feel right at home. You helped us out a lot, and I do appreciate all of it.

Shona, At last, I come to you. I know you had a lot to do with this farewell party, and I just want to thank you for everything you've done for this endeavor, but most importantly everything you've done for me as a friend. I hope you're going to be someone I can stay close to for years to come.HUGS!!!:-)

Fixed - now you all can find an email addy for me - sorry about that, when I started blogging I was paranoid about what info to put online, and I just never added it to the profile, even though most of my blogging friends already have it :-)